Sunday Mind Dump (through the eyes of the wife).

1) August has been one of those months that I wish I could do over again. Ever have one of those months when you can't seem to get it together no matter how much you try?

2) Fall is right around the corner and its about to get busy at WABC. Our calendar is chock full of events. Should be interesting juggling all of these different balls all at once.

3) This week we have been preparing for the wrap up of our first ever Back To School Campaign. As usual WABC members have stepped up to the plate and we have done very well considering how small we are.

4) The young lady who came up with the idea has not only been very busy setting everything up, but she has been a good stewart with the monetary donations given to her. That in itself tells me this will be a blessing to the young people who will recieve the bags next week. If all goes well Marc and I will be able to go with the other volunteers when they present them to the school.

5) I am especially excited that we have partnered with the Life Enrichment Center (an outreach of my adopted church New Life Providence).

6) Friday night we had our first "family movie night". It was partly a chance for us to collect more back to school items, but also a chance for us to fellowship. We had close to 30 people there!!!!! I'm not sure who enjoyed themselves more the adults or the children. Of course it might have had something to do with the waffles and strawberries that was served.

7) One of the reasons Marc and I both will be able to attend the backpack giveaway is because after much discussion Marc has decided to take one day off a week from his job to chill, or spend some quality time with his wife and family (not to mention it gives me a chance to get some much needed "honey do" list items checked off).

8) Marc officially announced our plans to start a children's church this morning during service. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. It been a dream of mind for a long time.

9) Last week we seriously started looking at curriculum and discussing ways to use our small space efficiently.

10) I think its finally starting to click with everyone the importance of our Member/Guest cards (its been hard getting people to understand the concept of filling out that card each week).

11) The reason that I know its starting to click is because we received a record number of them back today and people even filled out the prayer request on the back! My heart hurt a bit after reading some of them, but it only confirmed the need for this ministry.

12) One of the things we have been praying for has been for more volunteers to step up to the plate and join the choir. In the last few weeks the choir stand as been fuller then I have ever seen it since first coming to WABC. Now we just need some new mikes so that we can really hear their beautiful voices.

13) In a few weeks will celebrate homecoming at WABC (just like my mom's church). Our special guest will be my mom's pastor and her church. Yeah!!!!!! I can't wait to introduce my family to my WABC family.

14) That same week we begin Revival at WABC. For the first time (man, there has been a lot of first at WABC lately) two days will be set aside for the youth. A very special friend(my girls call him Pastor P) will be here to speak directly to the youth. I'm waiting word now from Marc's home church to see if there Youth will be joining us. Its been a while since the kids at GMZBC have seen him. I know he would love it if their choir is able to come.

Note: sorry this is all cluttered I can't figure out how to change it! It drives me crazy when it does this!!!!!

This one is for you!

So my friend Monique has been on this coupon kick. The girl has been saving crazy amounts on her food bill. As hard as I try, it just doesn't work for me. In part because a lot of the coupon products are precooked food and because I have high blood pressure I can't use a lot of the food items (ever notice the sodium intact in processed foods?). Plus there is no Publix or Whole Foods in this area! Now years ago I went crazy buying cleaning supplies on double coupon days at Roses. Now days I tend to stick to some specific cleaning products (Got to have my Pine Sol, and Chlorox Cleansor, plus I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club) so that idea kind of went out the window also. But this weekend Mo posted this on her blog and I jumped right on it. I can't wait to get my $10.00 gift card. And when I do I plan to use it at one of my favorite stores at the mall. I heart Bath and Body Works (especially their room spray and hand soap. Don't even get me started on their bath and body products! ). This weekend I got this for $3.00 each, plus I had a coupon from a previous purchase that allowed me to get one item for free (I got a hand soap, valued at $5.00). Yeah!!! The best part is that the next time I go there I will be able to use my $10.00 gift card and that along with my latest coupon will allow me to pay next to nothing on my next purchase. Yippee!!! So even though its taken a while I think I think I may have finally found the formula that works for me.

Lesson learned: Do what works for you. So what are your favorite must have items? And do you use coupons? If so any tips you care to pass along? Do you like Bath and Body Works? If so what is your favorite fragrance? I hate sugary smells (like vanilla or pumpkin....yuck) because they make my stomach turn, but anything fruit or ocean like (my favorites are fresh linen, sea island cotton) ends up in my basket. LOL

Congratulations Pam and Ricky

Apparently I have taught my daughter a few things. She remembered to take pictures at the 5 year anniversary celebration I missed for my friends Pam and Ricky Lee (who just happen to be her godparents). Congrats Pastor Ricky on five years of service to Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Monday Morning Ramblings (through the eyes of the wife).

1) I had every intention of updating last night but I literally fell asleep with my clothing on and did not wake up until 2 AM!


2) We have been busy in the last couple of weeks and I think all of the business finally caught up with me. My body decided to just shut down.


3) Saturday we were suppose to attend the 5th anniversary celebration of one of our pastor friends. Unfortunately our car has been out of commission for the last few days and when Marc thought to rent a car for the 3 hour drive it was too late. Not to mention it was raining cats and dogs outside. I decided to sacrifice and send him and my oldest daughter to the program in Marc's work truck while I stayed home (plus I couldn't imagine 3 people spending 6 hours back and forth in that small truck).


4) We are gearing up for the fall at WABC and I'm really excited about the upcoming events we will be having. One big new thing for our church has been a back to school campaign that will benefit children from a local elementary school in our area. The young lady who has been heading this up is doing a wonderful job.


5) In a few weeks we will be hosting a mission dinner for former prisoners. From what I understand the speaker will be a former inmate. This will be very interesting and once again I think this is something new for our church.


6) I have been spending a lot of time cleaning up and trying to maintain my home since the weekend of the funeral (you would be surprised by the number of faults you can find in your home when you have so many people coming in and out of your home at one time). Marc and the kids say I have become obsessed because as soon as someone lays down a plate or cup I am picking it up and wiping down the counter.


7) This weekend our Hospitality and Ushers Ministry celebrated their anniversary. The guest church and speaker are old friends so it was more like a reunion. He gave us a new perspective on being a door keeper and the importance of hospitality. I think he gave them new thoughts on the importance of a first impression being a lasting impression.

8) After the service yesterday evening the girls and I attended the 16th birthday party of one of my best friends daughter. It was amazing watching my girls watch teenagers who they grew up babysitting. Not sure who in the room felt older, me or them. LOL

9) The two services, plus the birthday party probably explains why I literally passed out after coming home.

10) One last bit of news which I am still in shock from is that Marc and I have been selected to be one of several people who will be honored at a missions ministry banquet. I hate the spotlight so this should be very interesting. I even have to do a bio which when I think about it is laughable (I just don't think of myself in that context).

11) We had several prayer request yesterday during our altar prayer. Please pray specifically for healing for several of our members.

The Tradition Continues

No weekend away for Homecoming would be complete without some food and fun. From the lunch at church to dinner after the service at my cousins home. My cousin Pat's home has turned into the place that we all gather at before heading back home after the weekend's events have all ended. Her husband is a great cook and the menu is never the same. He has a lot of practice since their family gets together each Sunday afternoon for a family dinner. Like I said, I love hanging out with my family.

97 Years Young

An annual event the weekend of Homecoming is spent celebrating my great Uncles Birthday. This weekend several generations got together to celebrate Uncle Moses 97 year of birthdays. There is a joke around our parts about there being something in the water, because our genes must be young (most of us don't look like our real age). Uncle Moses is my maternal grandmothers brother. The sweet lady standing beside him at the bottom is my Aunt Julia (she watched me when I was young while my grandparents worked). She had a twin sister named Ellen, but we called her Aunt Sweatheart. Aunt Julia had a set of twins, and her big sister my grandmother had a set of twins (we don't even skip generations...LOL). Of course I married a twin, who's mom had two sets of twins. So as you can see I dodged a bullet big time. We keep telling the kids that one of them is going to end up carrying the load (literally) for all of us.

Monday Morning Ramblings (through the eyes of the wife).

Over the years I have shared with you all my annual trek back home for "Homecoming". Usually I share pics of my rather large family. This weekend I actually left most of the photography assignments to my little sister. And sense none of us got home before 11 PM last night I am still waiting on the pictures.

I did take a few of the service, so that all of my "new school" folks could get a glimpse into a good old fashioned country church service. I don't know if you saw my post last year, but people underestimate churches in the country. They have some of the most beautiful buildings and sanctuaries that you will ever see (some on a small budget).

In part because members come back each year and "sow" back into their "home" church. We have lost a few members as time goes by, and many of our members are much older, but none of us get to tired to go back. Over the next couple of days as more pics come in I will share with you a few traditions. Today I thought I would give you a glimpse into our annual (79 years yesterday) "Homecoming Service".


First a little background. I grew up going to Union Zion. My grandparents were members and most of my aunts, uncles, cousins, grew up here. I was baptized here at around 9 or 10 ( I don't remember the age, but I will never forget the experience). By my godfather who was the pastor at the time (my grandfather was also a pastor). This is my mom, who is the church clerk, and the church organist. She is a well rounded woman. LOL



This was the guest choir. Man, they could blow...even though they were a "city" church. LOL One of the members of the guest church talked about getting scared when coming around some of the winding roads. The pastor told them they would be even more scared if they were traveling at night (no lights on the road...lol). The guest speaker bragged on our hospitality staff (they start serving you as soon as you walk through the door, and I'm not just talking food). I have to admit they had some great food yesterday (and yes, it included more chicken. But the also offered us Turkey, gravy, stuffing, macaroni with cheese, string beans and the best homemade deserts you will ever eat).


This is my Uncle John (my mom's brother) and one of the many family members who helped to raise me. As a matter of fact if it wasn't for this man and his wife Maryland I would have never met my hubby.



This is the balcony in our church. All of the young people would hang out in the balcony during homecoming. I think we thought it was the "cool" spot, even though it was usually the hottest spot in the church during August. Now our girls hang out there and sneak out in the middle of the service to hang out at their cousins home. When I was young we snuck out and headed down the road to my Aunt "Sweatheart's" (yes that is what we called her) to hang out.


This is our "First Lady". I like her because even though she is the "First Lady", she is not phony. You are more apt to find her in the choir, or in the kitchen helping out the staff. As a matter of fact most of the first ladies in my life (including my grandmother, god mother and the first lady at my home church in the city were all pretty down home ladies). I had great examples to follow.

This is our Pastor. He came a few years after my godfather retired. It took me a while to get use to him, but he has been a great support to Marc (which gave him an A plus grade in my eyes). I'm excited because he along with the rest of my church family (most of which are related) will be visiting us for "Homecoming" next month.

This is my church. I love the architecture of this church. They take a lot of pride in this old building. The pews have been here as long as I can remember. They have upgraded a few things but the building itself looks the same as it did when I was a child.

Another favorite of mine is the stain glass windows and the stain glass mural in the choir stand. Even though I prefer the more modern churches of today I love going home and seeing the traditional church that I grew up in. Well I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my past. We also celebrated my great uncles 97 birthday this weekend. I will share pics as soon as my mom and sister send the pics (hence the reason I am usually the one behind the camera). From what I understand Marc and WABC had a great service. And even though I missed them, it was great hanging out with my family, chilling, laughing and just enjoying life.

The Grand Hyatt Washington DC

Thought I would lighten up the mood around here and share my photos of the Grand Hyatt hotel in Washington DC. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

The restaurant where you can have breakfast (buffet style). We never got a chance to try them out. Maybe next time.

The view from our room.

The second restaurant in the hotel.

I would love a couple of these in aqua green and lime green!

This was me trying to be a photographer. LOL

One of the three restaurants in the hotel. Maybe next time we will get to check them out.

This was the last day of our trip. All of the WOF ladies were waiting in the lobby for taxi cabs or their cars to come back from the valet.

This reminded me a little bit of the inside of the Grand Floridian at Disney. Except the Grand Floridian has the monorail and Disney parks near by. Can you tell I need a trip to Disney? LOL

Our route each day from the elevators to the main lobby.

We never saw the piano player the whole time we were there. Still trying to figure out how he gets to the piano. LOL

This was the view most of the ladies saw from their room window, and the view we saw each day before going down to the lobby.

Monday Morning Reflections (and thank you's)

1) This has been the longest week of my life. Its taken me a bit of time to get my thoughts together to even begin this post.

2) Thank you so much to all of you who sent us messages, cards, called us on the phone and visited us in person. I can't begin to tell you how much this meant to my family, especially my husband.

3) I am still amazed by your generosity. As Marc stated on Friday....our refrigerator was (and still is) overflowing with food. The joke around the house is that we would be clucking by the end of the week! LOL.

4) We knew that the day would come when Marc's dad would pass away. Alzheimer's is one of those diseases that you just have to prepare for the worst. But knowing all of that and even knowing that he is in a better place, did not prepare us for his death.

5) Marc did a wonderful job delivering the eulogy for his dad's homegoing celebration. I worried that he might fall apart at the last minute because he had spent most of the week making arrangements and receiving family and friends. He didn't miss a beat and by the end of the day I stopped worrying about him. It helped that their were a number of prayer warriors out in the crowd that were praying hard before he got up to speak.

6) The one lesson I learned from this week was that yes prayer changes things, but prayer also can give you strength and power when you don't know what else to do. It also gives you peace. Sweet peace that you can't explain unless you have had that connection with our father God.

7) I also did not know at the time but the WOF Conference was preparing me for the upcoming week. I can't tell you how many times I turned on my Mandisa and the WOF Worship Team music on my ipod. It helped me to sleep at night and to calm me in the morning light. Its amazing to me how God can prepare you in advance for an upcoming storm.

8) There are four special ladies who got me through the week that I will never be able to thank enough. Without their support I think I would have lost it a couple of times. Two of them came to help me clean up the house to receive guest (one literally down on her hands and knees scrubbing my floor), one talked to me on the phone whenever I needed her (even when I interrupted her during her women's church lock in). One friend brought me a ton of food (thankfully not chicken...lol) which in itself was wonderful, but the greatest gift she gave me was a shoulder to lean on after a extremely difficult and frustrating day.

9) Although our vacation had to be canceled we have now come to the conclusion that it just was not our time to go. When I called my friend in Alabama she informed me that they had been at the hospital that week with her uncle who had cancer. The day after Marc's dad passed away, her uncle also passed away. God in his infinite wisdom! Wow!!!!

10) Marc's dad was a veteran of the Korean war and a purple heart recipient. When Marc's bestfriend from high school heard about his passing he made arrangements to be the soldier who would present the family with the American Flag. Its a moment I won't soon forget. And although it was originally given to his oldest sister she placed it in Marc's hands at the end of the day. It will hold a prominent place in my home, forever.

11) There are so many people we still have to thank but I had to mention our home churches and especially our present church family. Woodland Ave Baptist Church is an amazing little church (watch out world they are going to make an big impact in this universe and it won't have anything to do with Marc and I). And even though its been nearly 10 years since we left Mount Bethel Baptist Church, they showed up and showed out this week! Then there is our mother church....Greater Mount Zion. I'm so glad I got to speak too so many of you on Friday. Thank you so much for the love you have shown my family (especially during our difficult times).

12) I have to thank my WIT sisters, Dress Sale Buddies, and last (but not least) my family. Without your support and love I would have not had made it through the week. I love each and every one of you. Marc and I are still amazed by the support system that God has placed in our lives. Thank you DisneyScrap addicts, Scrap Etc Gals in Alabama and to all of my on-line friends who have sent messages. Your love and support has been overwhelming but is greatly appreciated.

13) Next week I hope to get back on track with my Sunday Mind Dump. I have a lot of things on my plate right now as we begin preparing for fall events. I am especially excited about attending Pastor McBath's leadership conference in the fall, planning our Women's winter tea (in which I will speak for the first time), and getting back to being involved with the local Ministers Wives and Widows Association in our area. For the first time in the four years that I have been a member I will actually be able to host one of the meetings at our church.

R.I.P

There will not be a Sunday Mind Dump this week. After returning home from the conference Marc informed me that his dad had passed away over the weekend. Please keep our family in your prayers. R.I.P Daddy Jennings.

Women of Faith Conference

Had a great time at the Women of Faith Conference in Washington DC. Nicki went as our driver for the weekend and did a great job.

I really enjoyed all of the speakers and especially enjoyed the music. Our favorite had to be Mandisa. The girl rocked the stage this weekend.

We were humbled by the presence of Steven Curtis Chapman. At the end of his time with us he sang the Cinderella song.

One of the first songs I ever sung solo after graduating from high school was a song that Sandi Patty did. I am still amazed at the range that gal can reach with her voice. Friday morning I got to see her up close. The last song she sung still gives me goosebumps!

It was fun yet slightly weird to see and hear Lisa Welchel from the Facts of Life. I still think of her as Blair. LOL

We heard an inspiring message from several men (yes, there were men at the conference). Including the President of World Vision Rich Stearns.

My favorite speaker hands down was Patsy Clairmont. That little lady kept me in stitches. But her story about a friend who died from cancer cut close to home because of my friend Gail.

Each lady who went to the event was touched in some way by at least one or more of the speakers. Sheila Walsh story of struggle and triumph captured my attention, so much so that I picked up her latest book "Let Go" to read.

We enjoyed the conference so much we are already booked for 2010! Apparently we were not alone because over 1300 women had already signed up before the end of the conference.